2023: Governance in C’River State now a mockery – Donald Duke

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

Former governor of Cross River State and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council PDPCC)  has described governance in the state as a mockery.

Duke made this known in Odukpani during an interactive session between  the PDP Governorship Campaign Team and Members of the Odukpani Traditional Rulers Council.

He also took a swipe at the present administration in the state, saying every grain the state achieved from 1999 to 2015 has been wiped out.

He re-echoed his earlier position, stating that the governor of the state, Professor Ayade was promoted beyond his capacity and justified his support for Professor Sandy Onor, saying he possesses all the qualities Cross River State needs in a governor.

“Governance in our state under Ayade has become a mockery because our present governor lacks integrity.

“Of all the widely advertised industries or projects acclaimed as the biggest in Africa at ground-breaking ceremonies, none has seen the light of the day,  every gain we have achieved as a state from 1999 to 2015 has been wiped out in a jiffy” 

“We cannot elongate the misnomer under the guise of zoning. We cannot accept drinking water from a leprous hand,  no patient in a critical or emergency condition at the hospital can afford to wait for the doctor from his village when his or her life is at stake, that is the scenario facing us, besides, a good friend is better than a bad brother”

“The disaster we are suffering today emanates from the fact  that we elevated Ayade beyond his capacity. Governance needs a man with integrity, capacity, vision, stable mind, and intellectual acumen, Senator Sandy possesses all that, that is why I am rooting for him”, he said.

He added that he has no problem with the All Progressive Congress ( APC)  gubernatorial candidate but the state governor is his greatest albatross.

“I don’t have any issue with Prince Otu, who is the APC governorship candidate. But Ayade has become his greatest albatross. Fruit cannot fall far from the tree.

“We need a man with temerity to redeem our state from the quagmire we have found ourselves in courtesy of Ayade”, Duke said.

In his remarks, the Clan Head of Otung Eyo Ema and spokesman of the Council, Rt Rear Admiral Etinyin Itam Okpo expressed dismay at the deplorable situation in the state ranging from dilapidated public school  buildings, decaying basic infrastructure, worsening insecurity, filthy environments, and the humiliating treatment of the traditional institutions by the present government.

He lamented the pitiable renumeration they receive from the state government and bemoaned the fact that the present administration will run out without a good legacy in any sector.

“Village heads get #7500.00 as monthly stipends while clan heads collect #22,000.00. It is total humiliation, our pay package is the worst in the entire country. 

“In our sister state, Akwa Ibom,  village heads are entitled to an official car from the state every three years.

“It is a pity that this government is set to end without a good legacy in any sector. We as royal fathers are worst off under Ayade”, he said.